FAIRLEA W.Va. (Hinton News) – The State Fair of West Virginia has announced the recipients of its State Fair Scholarship. The scholarship provides $1,000 per year for four years to five seniors or students currently enrolled in trade school or college who have participated in the State Fair of West Virginia with a market livestock animal, equine, dairy, or through an exhibit at the 4-H FFA Underwood Youth Building.
This year, 29 applicants from 12 counties applied. Each year, scores are competitive due to the number of participating youth in the 4-H and
FFA programs.
Applicants are evaluated by six committee members in the following areas:
State fair participation,
Essays
Extracurricular activities
References
Phone interviews for the top 10 candidates
In the 100th year of the State Fair, the 2025 State Fair of West Virginia scholarships were awarded as follows:
The Gus Douglass Award was presented to Shailyn Wickline from Monroe County, who plans to attend the University of Charleston to major in nursing. Shailyn exhibited Suffolk Hampshire cross lambs.
The Jim Justice Scholarship was awarded to Thomas Sibold from Monroe County, who plans to attend WVU to major in biochemistry. Thomas exhibited market lambs.
Hailey Ervin from Greenbrier County will attend WVU Tech to major in engineering and exhibited Hampshire sheep, boar goats, and Maine Cross steer.
Isaiah Bartenslager from Greenbrier County will attend WVU to major in Animal and Nutritional Science and exhibited Angus heifers, market steer, market heifer, feeder calves, and market goat.
Tabitha Samsel from Monroe County will attend New River Community College to major in business and exhibit Hereford, Limousin Angus Cross, Shorthorn Cross, Maine Anjou Cross beef cattle, and Chester White and Hampshire pigs.
For information about donating to the endowment supporting scholarships, youth education, and agriculture premiums for youth exhibitors, contact kellyt@statefairofwv.com.
